Best Sunbeam Garment Steamers (2026)

Switching between a hanging garment and a flat shirt without changing tools is what the EliteSteam is built for. At 1700W it has the strongest heater in the Sunbeam range, so steam arrives quickly and recovers fast between bursts. A ceramic nonstick soleplate glides across cotton and blends, and the listing describes it as a high-performance finish.

It behaves like a full-size iron more than a small handheld, so it needs an ironing board for flat work and a free hand for vertical steaming. That is the right trade for a household that wants one tool for shirts and for refreshing a jacket on a hanger. It is heavier than the MiniPower and the FlexSteam, and long sessions overhead will tire your wrist.

In ownership, the soleplate and the water decide how it ages. Wipe the coating with a soft damp cloth while it is warm, avoid ironing over zippers and use distilled water if your tap leaves chalk in a kettle. Store it standing on its heel with the tank drained after each use so the steam holes stay clear. Let it cool before wrapping the cord.

Nothing here tries to be a gadget. The Turbo Steam Iron is a conventional iron with a 1700W heater, a nonstick ceramic plate, a shot-of-steam button that works horizontally or vertically and a spray mist for stubborn creases. The listing says the shot of steam can reach hanging garments, upholstery and drapes, which stretches it a little beyond a plain iron.

Compared with the EliteSteam, it has the same power and a similar plate but lacks the steamer-and-iron framing and is a more traditional shape. The advantage of a traditional iron is that everything is where your hand expects it: the dial, the spray button and the shot button. The disadvantage is that it does not pretend to be a travel tool.

Keep it working by using distilled water in hard-water areas and emptying the reservoir after use. Wipe the plate warm with a soft cloth, avoid abrasives and store it on its heel. Clear the spray nozzle occasionally with a damp cloth, because mineral flakes tend to clog it first.

A head that swivels is the unusual feature in this small unit. Turn the head one way and it irons flat on a table, turn it the other way and it steams a hanging shirt, all in a compact body. At 1200W it is a notch below the EliteSteam, and the nonstick plate suits everyday fabrics.

It makes sense for an apartment dweller or a traveler who wants one tool in a drawer. The compromise is capacity: a smaller tank runs out sooner, and 1200W is slower on thick cotton and denim. A swivel joint is also a mechanical part that can collect lint and loosen with years of use, so keep it clean.

Care is simple. Drain the tank after use, wipe the plate warm and keep the swivel joint free of lint. Use distilled water to protect the small heater, and let it cool before packing it away.

Size is what defines the MiniPower: it is meant to fit into a carry-on bag or a purse, and it delivers 1000W of steam for quick wrinkle removal. A ceramic nonstick steam plate lets it glide over fabric and gives it a bit of contact heat. For a hotel morning before a meeting, that is plenty.

Its weakness is the obvious one. At 1000W and a tiny build it handles a shirt or a blouse, not a wardrobe, and thick fabrics demand patience. It is the lowest-powered model in the range and the least likely to impress someone who steams weekly at home.

Pack it empty and dry, because a trapped puddle will smell by the next trip. Use bottled water if hotel tap water is hard, wipe the plate when warm and keep it in a small bag so the cord does not tangle.